Lehigh River (24-Feb-2017)

On this trip I set out to finish up on the flood plain just below Lehighton. I knew there were some areas like the small islands I couldn't get to, but I was going to get everything I could on this trip. I parked near the entrance to the D&L Trail and walked up river to the spots I had previously been working on. 

The first stop was in a small area below the Mahoning Creek. I had already gone through this spot, but I only did along the rivers edge. From the road I could see a pile of stuff and started with that. Some of the items looked like they were bags thrown down from the roadway, others like plastic bottles looked like they were deposited a long time ago during a flood. 

It isn't everyday you find a dog bowl, but over the years I have found more than one. In addition to this bowl and plastic bottles, the first stop yielded a lot of packing material and some bows. It looked like someone after Christmas or a Birthday bagged up all of the waste and threw it down by the river. 

With just about a full bag, I decided to dispose of this before heading further on up the river to my main destination. There was a lot more at this first stop than I could see from the road. 

The non-recyclables went in the trash can I collected the day before and left near other cans at the D&L entrance. The recyclables were loaded into my car and it was back up the road and back for more river trash!

The second stop was above the Mahoning Creek. The photo above is the bottom of the floodplain. I had already removed the trash through this section and had to walk up to the top of this area. 

On this day I was determined to remove this kids vehicle. I had let it go the past couple times through the area because of its size. This was the day it needed to go though. 

Sometimes trash makes me laugh and not in a good way. I did so when I read the label on this crate saying it was made of all recycled materials. It made me think to myself, I am recycling all of the plastic bottles I find, just so they can be turned into a different product someone else will throw back into the river. It is a horrible cycle that needs to be broken in our society. We need less disposable items and a much greater conservation ethic. 

Second day in a row I found an unopened Pabst. It really does seem to be the beer of choice on the Lehigh River. I don't care if people drink on the water as long as they take their waste along with them. Too many don't. 

The rest of my time in this area was spent picking through small debris piles. There wasn't a whole lot left in this area after the previous clean-ups. 

This was everything I had to haul out. It wasn't that bad after I made it up to the road. I was able to wheel the kids car on two wheels and the crate fit in the trash bag. 

Everything from the second round. This completed the clean-up of this area and it should be good at least until the next flood. The small islands are still a mess, but there isn't any way to get to them until I start getting out on the water in a boat. 

Before going to do the Lehigh clean-up I made two quick stops at Mauch Chunk Lake. Signs of spring were in the air, water and popping up out of the ground. Above a Red-winged Blackbird is calling atop a Cattail. This species arrives early in spring and the males pick territories. When nesting some Red-winged Blackbirds will fiercely protect their territory. I have seen males dive and hit both humans and dogs that got too close to their nest site. 

The first turtle of the year! This painted turtle was basking not far from the observation blind. I think I also spotted the head of a Red-eared Slider poking out of the water, but couldn't get a good enough photo to id it for sure. 

Another first for me for the year! Skunk cabbage was finally rising from the ground. A sure sign that spring is on its way. 

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Mauch Chunk Lake (20-July-2016)

I was able to catch up on all my blog posts in the morning so I decided to head over to Mauch Chunk Lake for a paddle. I was interested to see what has accumulated since my clean-up early in the spring. 

Paddling up the lake I did not come across much trash at all, just a couple cans. This painted turtle was out basking and damsel and dragonflies were flying about. It was nice to see more wildlife than trash. 

When I crossed to the opposing shore I started finding cans on the bottom. I have paddled this shore many times and it I always find more. The odd thing is that they all seem to be older. Do I really miss that many or do they make there way towards shore with currents in the lake?

Only found half, this was also on the bottom. 

This has been in the lake for around 30 years. On land it would be in perfect condition still. It makes me wonder what causes it to break down in the water. 

These bags were right across the lake from one of the boat launches. The large trash bag most likely came from the trash can at the launch. Also found a lure when I got out to get the bag. 

Found a Tiger Swallowtail feeding on a very interesting flower. Does anyone know what this plant is? It was some type of woody shrub. 

Looking down the lake. Throughout this section I was still finding cans on the bottom, yet not much else. Either others are doing more to keep this lake clean or my efforts earlier in the year had a more lasting effect than I thought they would. 

After crossing back over to the park side of the lake I found a couple places where people left garbage after fishing. Still wasn't as bad as other times I have done this paddle. 

Near the end of this paddle this Green Heron tried avoiding me by hiding in a pine. I still was able to get its photo though. 

Wasn't anywhere near the largest haul I took off the lake, but it was still something. I can't express how nice it is to see less and less trash at a place every time I visit!
You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash

Like this project? Like it on Facebook: Taking Out the Trash in Eastern PA

Lehigh Canal (15-June-2016)

The total trip included not only the canal, but the trip back on the river. Since there are so many photos I decided to break it up into two posts. This post is just the trip up the canal from Sand Island in Bethlehem to Canal Park in Allentown. I started off the trip with a lot of energy and was very optimistic that there wouldn't be much trash on the canal due to my awesome clean-ups last year! If you are laughing you know how things actually work out. 

As soon as I pushed off onto the water I was picking up trash. On the left a glass bottle, on the right a balloon that looked like it had been in there for awhile.

All I could think at the start was, what a nice day to be out paddling. 

While reaching in for some trash I noticed this Common Musk Turtle and decided to say hello. It was not pleased with this decision and really wanted to bite me. Really can't blame it, just imagine if some giant creature picked you up. How would you react? I haven't come across too many Musk Turtles this year and it was nice to find one on this trip. After a few photos I placed it back in the canal and got to watch it awkwardly swim away like Musk Turtles do. 

Didn't I just clean this exact spot last year with Greco? Oh yeah, I did. New stuff and old stuff that must have been hidden last year. Even glass soda bottles with the metal caps. 

Also found in the strainer above were this volleyball (left) and little blue token (right) with a dogs back end on it.

About a third of the way to Allentown there is a lock that I have to portage around. During the portage I found this overflowing trash can. I cleaned up around it, took some recyclables and left behind a heavy, thick, plastic seat/cooler top and a fishing rod. Both items did not fit well on the kayak and I was happy to get rid of them right away. I think the trash can looked much better after I left.

Back on the canal I cleaned up around the top of the lock and found some keepers. On the left was a blow horn. Anyone know what kind of figurine it is on the right? Had a microphone in its hand.

More and more bottles. 

I specifically remember cleaning up this same section of canal bank last year. The nice thing was that this year it wasn't nearly as bad. This was one of a few places that I could see a clear difference as a result of what I did last year. Still a lot of trash though. 

This angered me. I found four similar bags, all had the same type of water bottles in them and three of the four had paperwork in them. Two of them I opened and took a look at the paperwork. It seems that employees of Norfolk Southern like to bag up their trash and throw it into our canal. One of the two bags that I opened also had rotting organic items in it that really smelled like vomit. That got on the side of my boat. I am not too pleased with Norfolk Southern and had there been a PFBC officer at Canal Park I would have handed these over instead of throwing them out. I doubt the PFBC would do much about it though, at least locally they don't seem to be too good at going after people who illegally dump into out waterways.

Apparently none of this paperwork really mattered. It is sad that I am to the point I don't believe anyone would fine Norfolk Southern for this. It is clearly trash from the company and their employees.

When I went to pick up one of the bags I noticed these two Painted Turtles slide into the water. Like the Musk Turtle they did not seem pleased that I said hello. Hopefully they learned from this experience and will do more in the future not to get caught by a predator. I placed them back by there basking area one immediately disappeared into the leaf litter and other debris in the water, the other stayed near the surface. I have hope for one of them surviving at least.  

My first whole RC vehicle ever! 

Then there was this... A basket, the inside cover of which is folded over on top of its contents and floating in the water. On top of the cloth cover are flies and because who knows what someone would put in a basket and float down the canal I had to see what the contents were. I was happy and confused. Multiple whole, decapitated, unfeathered chickens. I did not remove the basket or the contents. 

By this point exiting the canal I was tired. For at least the last quarter of the paddle up the bag in the front was hanging off enough in the water to create drag and slow me down a lot. That meant more paddling. I was also happy to be done with this part because the entire inside of my kayak was full of bottles and cans to the point my legs were resting on them in the front. It was extremely uncomfortable and I was happy I was able to move things around before setting out on the river and back to my car. 

After I cleared out the kayak the bag that doesn't have much in it in this photo was completely full. The other bag was non-recyclables. 

After dropping off the non-recyclables in the can by the parking area I took my boat and recyclables down to the river. The trip down river will be posted sometime soon. 
You too can help with taking out the trash! If you get out hiking take a grocery bag with you, give it a second use and fill it with trash while you are out! Every bit helps. You can also help contributing to this project here: Help Fund Taking Out the Trash

Like this project? Like it on Facebook: Taking Out the Trash in Eastern PA